In October 2018, „The Paper Bag“ platform, an association of Europe's leading manufacturers of kraft paper and paper carrier bags, organised „European Paper Bag Day“ for the first time. According to the organisers, the day of action was a success and is to be held annually in future.
The aim of the new „European Paper Bag Day“ is to raise consumer awareness of paper carrier bags as the sustainable and efficient packaging of the future, according to the organisers.
„With the European Paper Bag Day, we want to emphasise the benefits of paper carrier bags and invite consumers to combine their packaging choice with a clear conscience for the environment,“ explains Elin Gordon, Secretary General of CEPI Eurokraft. „Through our activities, we want to enter into a dialogue with them about paper packaging, provide them with insightful facts and impetus for action to combat climate change and pollution.“
Paper carrier bags for a sustainable future
In addition to the communication activities organised around the day of action on the social media channels of „The Paper Bag“ under the hashtag #EuropeanPaperBagDay on the Facebook fan page „Performance powered by nature“ and via the LinkedIn profiles of EUROSAC and CEPI Eurokraft There were some local activities based on the initiative of the members of „The Paper Bag“.
This is how packaging supplier Smurfit Kappa organised the first annual European Paper Bag Day at its Sangüesa paper mill in Spain to promote the use of paper carrier bags as an alternative to plastic bags. The Sangüesa mill collaborated with the Government of Navarra by providing the paper for the production of 130,000 paper bags, which are distributed to consumers in the Navarra region through local shops and supermarkets.
The Swedish paper manufacturer Nordic Paper celebrated the first European Paper Bag Day in Kristinehamn and Åmotfors in Sweden. The company produces kraft paper at these two locations and manufactured paper bags, which were distributed outside grocery shops on 18 October.
The Pulp Pöls AG, together with the market town of Pöls-Oberkurzheim, has launched a project that will not only put the paper bag in the spotlight on the day of action, but also have a lasting effect. Over the next one and a half years, businesses in the municipality will be provided with free paper carrier bags and bread bags.
„In a world facing changing demands due to globalisation, climate change and scarcity of raw materials, more and more consumers are moving towards a healthy, sustainable lifestyle,“ says Elin Gordon. „The use of paper carrier bags is an expression of this modern lifestyle, which helps to combat climate change and reduce plastic waste in our environment. Through European Paper Bag Day, we want to convince more people to act responsibly - by Use paper carrier bags, reuse and recycle. It can be that easy to take responsibility for the environment.“
The next „European Paper Bag Day“ will take place on 18 October 2019. Further information can be found here.
[infotext icon]The platform „The Paper Bag“ was founded in 2017 by the leading European manufacturers of kraft paper and paper carrier bags. They are committed to raising consumer awareness of the benefits of paper packaging. „The Paper Bag“ is coordinated by the organisations CEPI Eurokraft and EUROSAC[/infotext].
